It had already been twelve good years since Elara transmigrated.
She thought about that as she stood in front of the tall mirror in her room, a small smile touching her lips. These years had been peaceful in a way she had never known on Earth. No endless nights in the lab, no superiors piling work on her because she was "nice" and would never complain. Here, she woke up to delicate breakfasts, spent quiet afternoons having tea with the female members of the family, and sat with her mother in the garden when the sun was gentle. Even her father, Duke Vossar, who rarely showed emotion, had his own quiet ways of caring. He would sometimes linger after dinner to ask about her studies, or make sure her tutors were the best available.
But Elara was not naive. She knew the pressure he carried. Inside the family, her uncles and aunts on the council pushed constantly for stronger bloodlines and better results. Outside, other noble ducal families watched the Voss house with sharp eyes, waiting for any sign of weakness. In this world, power decided everything, and bloodline was one of its most important treasures. Stronger bloodlines meant higher noble ranks, better resources, and greater influence. Weaker ones slowly faded into the background.
"My lady, the carriage is ready," her maid said from the doorway, bowing slightly. "The Lord asked me to tell you to prepare at once."
Elara nodded. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."
The maid curtsied and left. Elara turned back to the mirror, studying her reflection. The baby from twelve years ago had grown into a tall, slender young lady. Her long silvery-white hair caught the sunlight streaming through the patio windows, shimmering softly. The slim-fitted white and pale purple gown suited her figure well. She wore only a simple crimson ruby necklace that matched her unusual blood-red eyes and lips. Her pale, almost translucent skin made her look delicate, almost unreal. She knew people stared when she passed.
She stepped out of her room. Maids and guards along the corridor drew sharp breaths as their eyes followed her. Downstairs, outside the gates of the Voss family estate, a line of carriages waited. Other young members of the Voss lineage had already gathered, talking in low voices.
The moment Elara stepped through the gates, the group fell into murmurs. Heads turned. Some looked at her with open admiration. She was different from the usual Voss look. Most of them had violet eyes. Hers were a deep, striking red. Many whispered that she might be the one to bring real hope to the family this year.
"You finally decided to show up, huh?"
A slightly pouting voice cut through the murmurs. The crowd parted as a beautiful young lady with sea-green hair and dreamy violet eyes stepped forward.
Heliose Voss.
If Elara was considered one of the brightest hopes for this year's Awakening, then Heliose was the other. She was Elara's cousin, daughter of Margin Voss, the elder in charge of family affairs after Duke Vossar. Margin had fallen short of becoming head of the family due to his average talent, but he was skilled at managing internal matters. Heliose carried herself with a lively confidence that balanced Elara's cooler demeanor.
"Heliose, you're here…" Elara's usually cold face softened. She walked over, and the two girls met in a warm embrace, giggling quietly.
The sight of the two young ladies — one with silvery-white hair and crimson eyes, the other with sea-green hair and violet eyes — made several of the young men in the group shift uncomfortably, hearts fluttering.
"Hmmph."
Duke Vossar appeared behind them, clearing his throat with a stern voice. "I hope you are all ready?"
"Yes, Duke," the young ones answered in unison.
"Yes, Father," Elara said tersely, her expression returning to its usual calm indifference.
"Yes, Uncle," Heliose replied with a sly smile.
"Then get in the carriages. We move to the Awakening Ritual at the capital."
The long journey to the capital was not a short one. The Voss ducal estate lay several days' travel from the central city, and most noble families preferred bringing their descendants there for the Awakening. The capital's grand shrine was said to channel Prime Essence more purely, and the presence of officials from the Sovereign Houses and the Academy made the ritual feel more official.
The caravan moved steadily along the wide road. Elara sat by the window of her carriage, watching the scenery change from familiar family lands to open fields and then to denser woodlands. Heliose rode with her, chattering about small things who might awaken strongly this year, what gifts the family might receive if they did well. Elara listened, offering quiet replies, her mind turning over possibilities.
On the third day, as the caravan passed through a narrow stretch of forest road, the atmosphere grew heavier. The trees pressed closer to the path, their branches forming a canopy that blocked much of the sunlight. The air felt still, almost watchful. The guards rode more alertly, hands resting near their weapons. Even the horses seemed uneasy, their ears flicking at every rustle.
Then the attack came.
A group of masked figures burst from the trees on both sides. Their movements were fast and coordinated. Some carried faint glowing runes on their weapons, signs of awakened power. Shouts rose from the Voss guards as swords were drawn.
"Protect the young misses!" one guard yelled.
Chaos erupted. Carriages rocked as horses panicked. Blades clashed. A bandit leaped onto the roof of their carriage, blade raised. One of the Voss guards charged him, but the attacker moved with unnatural speed an awakened ability. The guard was thrown back, blood spraying.
Elara felt her heart beat faster, but her mind stayed cold and logical. She stayed low in the carriage, observing the flow of energy around the attackers.
Heliose grabbed her arm. "Elara, stay down!"
Another attacker smashed the carriage door open. He reached for Elara, grinning. "Pretty little noble. You'll fetch a good price."
Before he could grab her, Heliose shoved Elara back and lashed out with a small burst of violet energy a minor illusion that made the bandit hesitate for a split second. It was enough. Voss guards swarmed in, swords flashing. The bandit was cut down.
The fight was short but brutal. The Voss guards, better trained and more numerous, drove the attackers off. Several guards lay wounded. One young cousin had a deep cut on his arm. Duke Vossar moved among them, his face grim, violet eyes scanning for more threats.
Duke Vossar approached their damaged carriage, his expression dark. "We continue. The capital is not far now. Stay alert."
The caravan moved again, slower this time, with extra guards watching the trees. The mood had changed. The earlier light chatter was gone. Elara sat quietly, her red eyes fixed on the road ahead.
Bloodlines were hereditary containers of power, passed down from ancestors. They came in different forms some from ancient pacts with powerful beings, some from magical mutations, some from moments of great authority, and some, like the Voss line, from inhuman heritage. The Voss ancestor had been a rare hybrid part celestial, part demon. Most descendants awakened only the celestial side, which granted the ability to see through illusions and pull opponents into dream-like realms where they could analyze abilities and find flaws. But for several generations now, even that part had grown weaker. The full power the complete illusion and analysis aspect had become rare. The demon side had never awakened in recent memory. Many in the family now quietly hoped that Elara, with her unusual red eyes, might be the one to awaken something stronger, perhaps even the suppressed demon aspect.
Powerful bloodlines also granted another advantage: the ability to unleash small bursts of power without needing to circulate Prime Essence through the body first. That was why Heliose had been able to produce that minor illusion during the attack her bloodline was strong enough to allow such direct release, even if untrained.
Elara sat in silence, turning these thoughts over in her mind as the caravan continued toward the capital.